I recently saw a one-panel newspaper cartoon. A man was sitting in his recliner in the living room in front of his television. The voice from the TV said: “The following program is intended for mature audiences but it probably won’t interest them.” The implication is clear and forthright: A person who is truly mature will have no use for entertainment marketed for “mature audiences.”
The Bible has much to say about growing and maturing as Christians. To become more like Christ means, in part, to leave behind the wicked enticements of the world.
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.” (1 Cor. 13:11)
“Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.” (1 Cor. 14:20)
Does getting older magically make sinful language acceptable? (cf. Eph. 4:29—5:4)
Does a change on the calendar suddenly make adultery acceptable? (cf. Heb. 13:4; Gal. 5:19-21)
Are such things really for the mature? Or is it the mature (those seeking to follow the Lamb wherever He goes) who will mark such lifestyle/communication/entertainment as sin (and thus avoid it)?
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:14)
Let us bear in mind that sin remains sin no matter how old we get.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Phil. 4:8)
